Tool or utensil fastening means



KAZUO TANUMA TOOL OR UTENSIL FASTENING MEANS Aug. 6, 1963 Filed Jan. 30, 1962 United states This invention relates to the fabrication of tools, more particularly to the construction of tools which, for the sake of convenience of use, are preferably attachable to other articles.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new, simple yet positive fastening means incorporated in the construction of various tools and utensils for the attachment thereof to other articles.

The nature and details of this invention as well as the manner in which the foregoing object may best be achieved will be apparent from a consideration of the following description of a representative embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a can opener taken as a representative tool incorporating an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, with a part cut away on line II-II to reveal a section, showing the tool of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line IIIIII of FIG. 1.

The can opener illustrated in the drawing is of the semidisposable type intended to be attached to can container and has a body plate '1 with an engagement jaw 6, a can cutting blade 5, and a joggled portion 7. In addition, the said body plate 1 at its one end incorporates the fastening means according to the present invention, which comprises two flanges 2 and 2a bent perpendicularly to and toward the same side of the body plate I and a holding piece 3 provided with an inwardly facing locking protrusion and formed as an end flange bent perpendicularly to and toward the same side of the body plate 1 as the two flanges 2 and 2a. The holding piece 3 and the end portions of the flanges 2 and 2a form opposed clip jaws of the fastening means with a gap 4 therebetween which is adapted to be suitable for engaging with the end rim ice or bead of a can container. The dimension of the gap 4 is so established that, when the can opener is to be fastened to the end rim of a can, the jaws 2, 2a and the holding piece 3 are forced into engagement with the said rim with elastic outward deflection of the holding piece 3 relative to the jaws 2 and 2a. That is the fastening means is clipped on to the said rim. Positive locking of the fastened condition is provided by the locking protrusion on the inner surface of the holding piece 3, the said protrusion securely engaging the outer side of the can rim, thereby preventing accidental unfastening and loss of the can opener during ordinary handling of the can.

While the present invention has been described with respect to its application to a can opener, it is not to be limited thereto, the invention being applicable to various other utensils and tools.

Moreover, since it is obvious that many changes and modifications can be made in the above-described details without departing from the nature and spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details described herein except as set forth in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In an opener for cans or the like including a body plate, a cutting blade at one end of said body plate, an engagement jaw on said one end of said body plate l-aterally spaced from said cutting blade, fastening means on the opposite end of said body plate comprising flanges on opposite side edges of said body plate and perpendicular thereto, said flanges extending from said body plate in the same direction and being in aligned relation to each other, a holding piece on said opposite end of the body plate extending perpendicular thereto and longitudinally spaced from said flanges, said holding piece extending from said body plate in the same direction as said flanges and together therewith defining a space to receive a can bead, and a locking protrusion on said holding piece extending into the space defined by the same and said flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,590,553 Lesser et al Mar. 25, 1952 

